Welcome back to a deep dive on narcissism and narcissistic relationships! Today, we’re exploring gaslighting—a form of manipulation that narcissists use to make others question their own perception of reality. And we’ll go even further, diving into a particularly insidious form of gaslighting where the narcissist sets up a trap designed for you to fall into. Understanding how this works will empower you to see the warning signs and respond without falling into the toxic cycle.
Gaslighting 101: Classic Manipulation Tactics
Let’s start with the basics. Gaslighting is often reactive; it occurs when someone denies reality to make you doubt yourself. Take this example: You ask, “Why did you move the keys?” and they deny it, even though you heard them moving them. They might even go as far as to say, “You’re paranoid. You always want us to live in a surveillance state.” Or perhaps you mention seeing them at a bar with someone else, and instead of addressing the issue, they accuse you of having trust issues, possibly stemming from a past trauma. This tactic serves to shift blame onto you and make you question your own reality.
The Gaslighting Trap: Setting You Up to Fail
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